Best described as either an extra large smartphone or a small tablet — or a hybrid device to sit in between — the Samsung Galaxy Note has a 5.3in screen and includes a stylus called the "S Pen" that allows users to take notes, draw onto the screen and annotate images and PDF files.

"Samsung is working with our partners to launch Galaxy Note in Australia by early 2012," said a Samsung Australia spokesperson. "Essentially, we do want to bring it to Australia but it won't be until next year".

The Samsung Galaxy Note was originally unveiled last month at the IFA trade show in Berlin, the world's largest trade fair for consumer electronics and household appliances. It generated largely positive press upon its announcement but Samsung was coy with official release details at the time. Samsung officially announced today that the Galaxy Note would be released in the UK on 17 November, but has not confirmed if or when it would be sold in the US.

Essentially, Samsung is marketing the Galaxy Note as an all-in-one device. The official Galaxy Note micro site says the Android smartphone intends to "consolidate the core tasks of multiple devices" including the smartphone, the tablet and a physical pen and paper.

"There is an emerging desire for a primary device for on-the-go use that could consolidate the core tasks of multiple devices as well as recreate the ease and simplicity of using a pen and paper," the site reads. "The Galaxy Note is a primary device that will minimise the need to switch to other devices while on the go and open up the potential of your mobile experience."

The Samsung Galaxy Note is powered by a dual-core, 1.4GHz ARM Cortex A9 processor, has 1GB of RAM and will come in 16GB or 32 GB models. There's also a microSD card slot for extra memory, an 8-megapixel camera that records HD 1080p video at 30 fps and a 2-megapixel front facing camera for video calls.

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